What Basketball skills takes a
player to the next level?

There
are two basketball skills more important than all the others when a
player is trying to reach the next level.

1) The shot

2) The defense

Part
1 The shot

The first article is about a players shot. I believe that this skill is
the most important one of the offensive skills a player can master.
Maybe the shot is not the most important when you are on a certain
level but when trying to reach the next level when physique and speed
becomes more significant a player without the skill of shooting is way
more easy to break down.

When a player has a dangerous shot the defense must play closer which
gives the possibility to attack with dribble and it also creates space
for his team-mates. On a lower level a player can survive with
attacking the basket due to maybe a physique higher level than his
team-mates, but when playing against a player who can back off and
control the penetration the shot is the key to attract the defense and
get him closer. A great shot will help the player to attack the basket
more. And a player who is great attacking the basket but a poor shooter
will be fouled a lot but will not be able to punish the defense by
making high enough percentage from the FT-line.

When the defensive players needs to get up closer it creates space for
the offensive players. One important thing I have written earlier about
is to use inside as an important piece of the puzzle. If the defense
can back off the offensive players it will be more difficult to reach
the inside position with passes.

With a good shot a player handling the ball and using ball screens is a
threat behind the screen. This will force the defense to play 100% and
not take short cuts, going under the screen by example. Actually this
is the case in almost all screen situations. If the player can’t shoot
the defense will take short cuts to make sure they stop the attack or
cut to the basket.

Part
2 The defense

A players defensive skills are the most important skills for most
players regarding going to a higher level to play or not. Some players
with extra-ordinary skills might advance anyway due to physique or a
special offensive skill. But for most players its their ability to
defend which lets them advance to the next level.

Is this just something coaches say to make players work on their
defense because a lot of coaches like defense? I would say that
the main reason defense is important is that a player who moves up has
first to adapt to the speed in the practise and the new group and at
the same time to stay on the floor. Because staying on the floor both
in practise and in games is important, that’s quite easy, right?

When playing a game most coaches sub out players who can’t defend, who
get blown by or stand on their heels, and who get fouls. A good
defender doesn’t pick up unnecessary fouls, or at least not as many as
other players on the team. And in tough and intense games their will be
a lot of contact, their will be fouls, players will be in foul trouble.
And who do you think will play? Good defenders!

Another good thing to have in mind is that in a team the balance of
players is very important. Having five players on the floor at the same
time who wants to shoot the ball and make the important shots might
cause problems. A team needs good screeners, rebounders, players who
run the floor, who moves without the ball, who cuts and create space
for the “scorers”. Combining some of these qualities with good defence
creates the type of player that every team wants to have. The type of
player who doesn’t make the final shots, the player who’s statistics is
not the most fancy, but who adds so much to the team by just getting
the job done.

It all comes down to if a player has the desire to be that kind of
player. For example, is statistics like 20 minutes, 0/1 shots, 3
rebounds, 1 steal, 2 fouls something to strive for? Well, I would say
that if a coach keep that player on the floor it’s most likely because
he or she plays hard and good defense and is a solid offensive player.
And “to play” is definitely important when moving up to a higher level.
This is the first phase. Then with further development the team and the
coach might use the player for other things at all parts of the floor
and the game.

I wish you players good luck working on your close-outs, slide-steps
and taking charges and shutting other players down.